Longnose Gar
Longnose Gar are prehistoric fish that have inhabited New York waters for nearly 100 million years, earning them the designation as 'living fossils.'
Scientific Name: Lepisosteus osseus
- These distinctive fish are characterized by their elongated snout filled with needle-like teeth, torpedo-shaped body covered in diamond-shaped ganoid scales, and ability to reach 2-4 feet in length.
Fishing in New York
Delaware River
East Branch Delaware River
Susquehanna River
Beaver Kill
Lackawanna River
Chenango River
Rondout Creek
Lehigh River
Tobyhanna Creek
West Branch Delaware River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found in warm lowland lakes and rivers.
- They prefer sluggish, weedy areas with emergent vegetation, quiet backwaters, and stagnant ponds.
Key Locations
- Northern portions of Cayuga Lake, Lake Ontario bays and tributaries (especially Cross Lake and Sodus Bay), the Seneca River system, Onondaga Lake, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain, and Chautauqua Lake.
- Found in the Great Lakes watersheds (Lake Erie, Lake Ontario), St.
- Lawrence River system, Lake Champlain, Finger Lakes, and the Allegheny River watershed including Chautauqua Lake.
Specific Spots
- Target weedy flats bordering deep water, mainlake points, isolated weedy bays, creek mouths, and areas with emergent vegetation.
Longnose Gar FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What flies work for Longnose Gar in New York?
Rope flies made from unbraided nylon rope (6-9 inches long) tied to a small stainless ring. Streamers with trailer treble hooks work well.
When is the best time to fish for Longnose Gar in New York?
The best fishing for Longnose Gar in New York occurs from July through August during hot, clear, sunny days when they're surface-oriented and most active. Spawning occurs from late May to early June in shallow water when temperatures reach around 68°F.
How do you catch Longnose Gar in New York?
Most effective presentations use rope flies - cast perpendicular to the fish, let it chew for 8-10 seconds with slack line, then apply steady pressure without setting the hook. For fly fishing, cast beyond the fish's nose and retrieve slowly past their snout. Target shallow areas during warm weather.
What do Longnose Gar eat?
Longnose Gar are primarily piscivorous, feeding on small fish, minnows, shiners, darters, and occasionally crayfish.
Where do Longnose Gar live in New York?
Found in warm lowland lakes and rivers. They prefer sluggish, weedy areas with emergent vegetation, quiet backwaters, and stagnant ponds.
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